School of Art Presents M.F.A. Thesis Exhibition of Acadia Kandora: 'Weather Permitting'

Acadia Kandora

Lend Me

The School of Art in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences is pleased to announce M.F.A. Thesis Exhibition with Acadia Kandora: Weather Permitting.

Weather Permitting is a one-day only, outdoor interdisciplinary exhibition that will be held at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks from 1-5:30 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, April 3. 

Kandora is a printmaker, rock collector and nature enthusiast. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with concentrations in graphic design and sculpture from Shepherd University and is currently pursuing her studio art Master of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in printmaking.

Her work revolves around nature, landscape and the intersection between the imaginary and the concrete, and has been exhibited both nationally and internationally in cities such as Baltimore, Indianapolis, Bentonville and Korpo, Finland. 

Weather Permitting is an exhibition of objects and printed matter, primarily in the form of publications. The exhibition features work examining Kandora's relationship to nature and the idea of nature as both sanctuary and armor. 

Kandora shares that at a young age, her parents would take her on a hike every Sunday instead of going to church. She describes the hikes as a weekly pilgrimage deep into the woods and a ritual instilling the idea of nature being a place of spiritual refuge and retreat. A sanctuary—of course, weather permitting. 

"As I grew up and experienced hardship, my first instinct was to run and hide into the woods," Kandora said. "I am a sexual assault survivor; nature gave me my power back when I was at my most vulnerable. Now it's time for me to return the favor."

Kandora abstractly tackles how nature has taken on the role of armor through the use of collage and her body, specifically focusing on hands, within her publications. 

"In publications such as Lend me a Hand, I use hands to insert myself into the landscape and to talk about power dynamics," Kandora said. "In order to access the book, the viewer must interact and move my hand that is bent at the wrist. It can be seen as holding my hand in order to access the content, as well as commentary on power dynamics and a choice that the viewer has to make. The hand can't fight back; it is cardstock. Inside and on the back of the publication I merge my body with landscape, and thus, taking back power through a merger with nature."

Through publication and installation, Kandora uses landscape theory, deep ecology, ecofeminist themes and modes of disruption such as the glitch to share personal narratives and call attention to the importance of preserving local nature. The series of publications wander through the strain of personal experience, the ephemeral and nature's role in day-to-day life.

"Acadia's publications engage with the ethos of zine culture to reclaim power over traumatic life events," said Breanne Trammell, assistant professor of art. "Historically, zines operate outside of capitalist, patriarchal publishing norms to create community, conversation and awareness around social justice, human rights, bodily autonomy and so much more. Zines remind us that we're not alone in our struggles. Acadia's work bravely speaks to her lived experience as a survivor and draws a parallel to the resiliency of nature and its role as a space for refuge, healing and reemergence."

Kandora created the publications featured in Weather Permitting through researching the effects of climate change, creating her own archives, utilizing the U of A Special Collections and hiking. 

"Hiking and being in nature is a very important part of my studio practice," Kandora said. "It is where I recharge, observe and remember why these publications need to exist." 

Visitors are invited to experience, Weather Permitting, tomorrow, Saturday, April 3, from 1-5:30 p.m. at Botanical Garden of the Ozarks. Those attending will need to inform the garden admission window they are there to view Acadia Kandora's art exhibition. Botanical Garden of the Ozarks is located at 4703 North Crossover Road in Fayetteville.

As this is an outdoor exhibition; if it rains, a rescheduled date will be posted on acadiakandora.com and on Instagram @acadiakprints.

In addition to the exhibition, audiences are able to view and experience a selection of Kandora's work through Rain Checks:

• April 5-10, installation work will be displayed at the Fine Arts Center building in the display cases located on the first floor
• April 5-10, zine selection placed at Public Storage, 608 N. Assembly Dr. in Fayetteville, in a zine takeaway box
• April 6, hang out and read at Wilson Park in Fayetteville from noon to 5 p.m.
• April 8, hang out and read at Lake Fayetteville, Memorial Park from noon to 5 p.m.